Flexible reflex reflecting film



July 9, 1946 M. H. PHILLIPPI 2,403,752

FLEXIBLE REFLEX REFLECTING FILM F11ed Feb. 15, 1940 2 sheets-sheet 1 J J1-9191.) JJJJJJ I July 9, 1946. M H- PH|LL|PP1 2,403,752

FLEXIBLE REFLEX REFLECTING FILM Filed Feb. 13, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 miento@ f7 1 9 36 MHTTHEW H. EFHILLIPPI Patented July 9, 1946A FLEXIBLE REFLECTING FILM Matthew n. rhuuppi, st. rm, Minn., maar.'

by direct and mesnc assignments, to Brown Bigelow, St. Paul, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application February 13, 1940, Serial No. 318,701 8 Claims. (Cl. i1-33) My invention relates to an improvement in ilexible reflex reflecting illms, wherein it is desired to provide a exible illm of reflex reflecting elements which may be used either in the manner of a decalcomania transfer, or may be used as a coating over signs of various types.

It has been previously known that small regularly shaped elements of transparent material such as glass, and preferably in the form of spheres, cubes, and any other regularly shaped geometrical figures, whose height equals the diameter and the like. have been previously used for attracting attention, and for decorating purposes. It has further been found that by placing these elements closely together, and providing a large number of such elements, a bright reilex reflection may b e obtained. The elements may be applied in any one of a` number of ways. In every instance, however, the elements are attached by coating the surface with a coating of adhesive, and placing the elements in contact with the adhesive. 'Ihis process, while simple, is not always convenient. It is the object of the present invention to provide a lm bearing reflex reflecting elements; and to form this illm flexible so that it may be adhered to the surface of a sign or sign base. The

film may be either in the form of a. transparent flexible nlm bearing the reflex reflecting elements; or may if desired be in the form of a decal- ,w3 2- of a hand prepared and individually formed reflex reflecting sign.

It is a further purpose of my invention to provide a flexible film bearing reex reecting elements which may be applied as a lm over apreviously formed or constructed sign. Thus in order to improve the appearance of a sign already in use, it is only necessary to apply over the surface of the sign atransparent film bearing the reflex reflecting elements. When applied, the sign is given the same appearance as if it had been coated with an adhesive, and covered with the reflecting elements. This is extremely important, as it provides an inexpensive way of treating signs already in existence and which might otherwise be costly t0 provide a reflecting surface upon.

It will be understood that the application of reflex reflecting elements to a surface requires special knowledge and special supplies. In the treatment ofv a sign previously made and suspended out of doors, it has beenpreviously almost A essential-to remove the sign and work on the comania transfer. In the latter case, the designis held upon a decalcomania base by a suitable paste or the like; and the design is coated with, the reilex reecting elements. The transfer is applied in the usual manner, the base'being re- Y moved through the use of a solvent for the paste. Thus, when applied, a transfer design is provided in which the design is coated with the vreflecting elements.

It is a purpose of my invention to provide a transfer decaleomania, sign, or gummed label having a brilliantly visible surface thereupon capable of attracting attention or of conveying infomation. Such transfers, signs and labels have all of the advantages commonly known to exist for such articles; and have the added'advantage of theA brilliant reflecting surface thereon. Labels and decalcomanias, for example, may be readily transported and handled; and may b e appliedby anyone familiar with the usual process of applying such articles, or capable of reading and following simple directions. At the same time, the labels,`signs and decalcomanias which I produce have the added brilliance and attractiveness same where the sign may be moved about for ease in applying the reflecting elements. With -my new exible fllm, it is only necessary to apply a coating of adhesive upon the sign, and to adhere my transparent fllm bearing the reecting elements over the surface. Thus my construction is extremely advantageous for use upon previously constructed signs or displays. No special equipment or knowledge is necessary to apply the illm.

The present process is particularly applicable to flexible sheets or illms of homogeneous materials as regenerated cellulose, cellulose derivatives, such as ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, nitrocellulose, and cellulose acetate gelatin, casein and synthetic or natural resins. Such materials are usually transparent but it may be understood that materials which are somewhat translucent or otherwise expressed as having one homogeneous continuous phase,A such as Glassine may be processed as herein described. 'I'he sheets or fllms may be colorless, slightly tinted, dyed, otherwise f colored, or entirely opaque, as may be desired for r the purpose fox` which they are to be employed.

It is a feature of my invention that my flexible lm may be in any one of a number' of forms. My reilex reflectingelements may be mounted upon a decalcomania transfer, or upon a transa. sheet of material. The sheet may be provided with a paste or gum solution, or with a suitable glue which, when moistened, will adhere to a desired surface. Such gummed labels may be rendered extremely effective by a coating of reflex reflecting elements partially embedded in an adhesive coating on the label.

'I'hese and other objects and novel features of my invention' will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of my specification:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional Yview, in greatly enlarged form, of a decalcomania transfer showing my new construction.

Figure 25 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a modified form of decalcomania transfer.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a clear transfer or transparent reilex reflecting film.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a clear transfer similar to that shown in Figure 3,without the top coating thereupon.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a transfer design to be applied to a surface to be covered.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view through a decalcomania transfer having a non-continuous removable lm thereon.

Figure '7 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the transfer shown in Figure 1 after application, showing the relationship of the elements thereof.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the transfer illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings, after application thereof.

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the clear transfer shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, after application thereof.

Figure 10 is a front elevational view of a highway sign.

^ Figure 11 is a sectional view through a portion of the sign of Figure 10, showing the manner in which the transfer may be applied thereto.

In Figure 1 of the drawings, I disclose a typical form of decalcomania constructed in accordance with the teachings of my invention. This form of decalcomania A is provided with a. backing sheet I0, which may be, and ordinarily is, a sheet of paper. The backing sheet I0 may, however, comprise a sheet of metal, wood, Celluloid, or any one of a great number of othersubstances. The only requirement of such a backing sheet is that it form a base for supporting the removable portion of the transfer.

The backing sheet I0 is treated with a paste solution. This -layer of paste solution is diagrammatically illustrated at Il. The paste II must be such that when moistened with a suitable solvent ,it will soften and permit the removal of the transfer from the backing sheet, Il). In use, the backing sheet I0 is removed from the decalcomania, and the remainder of the sign is used.

A film of Varnish, lacquer, or other material, indicated at I2, is jcoated, sprayed, printed, lithographed, silk screened, or hand painted upon the paste layer II. This film I2 may cover the entire surface of the paste layer, or may be placed thereon in a predetermined pattern. The

^ film I2 forms the removable base of the transfer,

and obviously may be of regular or irregular outline, as is desired. In Figures 1 and 7 of the drawings, the film I2 is shown continuous over the surface illustrated; but this film may be in the outline form of letters, numerals, designs or 4 the like if desired, or may be in'proper outline form to enclose a series of letters, numerals, or designs.

Imprinted or in other ways afxed overlying the lm I2 I provide the design I3. This design may, of course, be printed, lithographed, silk screened, or hand painted upon the lm surface to provide a desired display. The design may be in one or numerous colors, or may be black or white. The design I3 is preferably covered with a protective coating I4, such as varnish, lacquer, or other suitable material. The protective coating fills the interstices formed by the design and provides a relatively smooth working surface.

Upon the surface of the protective coating Il, I provide a coating of adhesive I5. This adhesive may be any suitable transparent or translucent material which will form a reflective backing for the reiiex reflecting elements, and which will hold these elements securely to the body of the decalcomania A. While the adhesive I5 is in a plastic state, the reflex reflecting elements I6 are applied in any suitable manner, these elements being partially embedded in the adhesive coating I5, and secured thereby. The reex reflecting elements may be formed of clear, transparent, or colored glass or other transparent material, and may be spherical, cubical, or of other regularly shaped geometrical form in which the height substantially equals the diameter and the like.

Upon the surface of the reflex reflecting eiements, I preferably provide a coat of varnish or any transparent material for protection against deterioration. This top coat I1 seals the recesses between the reflecting elements I6 and prevents moisture from entering about the reflecting elements and damaging the effectiveness of the completed transfer.

'I'he manner in which the decalcomania A is i used is believed obvious. As shown in Figure 1, the transfer including the film I2, design I3, protective coating Il, adhesive I5, reflector elements I6, and top coat I1 is removed from the backing sheet I0 by using a. suitable solvent for softening the paste layer II. This transfer is adhered upon the base I9 by any suitable means. In some instances the paste layer I I is such that this same adhesive may be used for adhering the transfer. In the usual practice, however, a coating of varnish or other adhesive 20 is placed upon the sign base I9, and the film I2 is adhered to the base I9 in this manner.

A slightly different type of decalcomania construction is shown in Figures 2 and 8 of the drawings. The decalcomania B illustrated in these iigures is provided with a backing sheet 2l which v may be made of any suitable material, but winch is usually a flexible paper sheet. A coating of paste 22 is applied to one surface of the backing sheet 2l, which paste may be softened by a suitable solvent such as water. The reflecting medium 23 is imprinted upon the paste coating 22. This reflecting medium may be of transparent material, or may be of opaque material. In the construction shown, the reflecting medium 23 is printed, lithographed, silk screened, or hand painted upon the coating 22, in the form of letters. The reecting 'medium is colored, and forms an adhesive 'base to which the reflex reecting elements 24 are adhered. A top coat 25 of varnish, lacquer, or the like is preferably v'applied over the reliecting elements 2| to -flll the Yinterstices between the same, and to seal any cracks. enclosing the elements 24 in aweather-proof seal.

Figure 8 shows the decalcomania B after the backing sheet 2| has been removed by softening the paste nlm 22 with a suitable solvent. The reflecting medium\23 is adhered to the base 25 of the sign by means of a suitable adhesive coating 21 which may be locally applied just beneath the reflecting medium, or which may be applied over the entire general area of the reecting medium whenremoved from the backing sheet. l

Figure 3 illustrates a clear transferC whic may be coated over designs and indicia to enhance the appearance of fthe same. The transfer C is provided with a transparent basesheet 29, which may be of `any suitable transparent material such as Glassine, Cellophane, Kodapak or regenerated cellulose films. Upon the surface of the base sheet 29 I provide a coating 30 of clear garnish, lacquer, or transparent adhesive mate- Embedded in the adhesive coating 30, I provide a layer of reflex reflecting elements 3|. The elements 3| may if desired be sealed in place by a top coat 32 which fills the lnterstices between the elements and acts to weatherproof the transfer.

- The clear transfer D is identical with the transfer C with the exception that the top coat is eliminated. In this form'of my invention the transparent film 33 is .coated with a varnish, lacquer, or

clear adhesive 34, and the reflex reflecting elements 35 are embedded therein. This .film may be adhered over a design, emblem, or indicia to improve the appearance of the same, and to make the sign more visible and more legible when light strikes the same.

Figure 9 illustrates the film C applied to a design or base. 'I'he sign base 36 is provided with a design 31 thereon which is coated. with/a suitable transparent adhesive. varnish, or lacquer coating 39. The fllxnV base 2 3 is adhered to this base 30, insuring a close contact between the sign base 36 and the film base '29.

It has been found that actual connecting contact is necessary in brder to provide the necessary transparency. When the fllm'base 29 togther with the'adhesive '30 and reflecting 'ele- -ments 3i areplaced upon the base 38, the film C does not appear perfectly transparent. However, when actually adhered thereto. the .design 31 may be seen with magnified clearness through the transfer C. I

In Figure of the drawings I disclose a design on a base sheet covered with reflex reflecting elements. In this transfer E, the base may be any flexible sheet 40 bearing a design 4I applied in any manner thereto. 'I'he sheet 4l may be transy parent, as shown, or may be opaque, as in a label or the like. .A coat of varnish or lacquer 42 is applied over the design in the form of an adhesive, and the reflex reflecting elements 43 are embedded in the adhesive to substantially half their depth.

41, forms a base for the removable portion of the transfer. The varnish o r lacquer film 41 is coated with a reflecting medium 40 which may be transparent, or may be opaque ink or the like.

letters or\ figures 53 thereupon.

Reflex reflecting elements 50 are embedded in the reflecting medium 49 to about half their depth, and a top coating Il seals the reflecting elements against the weather. The design 41 may thus be removable in one or more separate pieces from the backing sheet 45.

In Figure I disclose ahighway sign 52 having A series of rounded protuberances 54 are formed in the letters 53. As shown'in Figure 1l, the sign base 52 is provided with a covering 55 of paint on both sides thereof. A transparent lm 56 is adhered to the surface of the protuberances 54, having reflex reflecting elements 51 embedded therein. A top coating 59 ofvarnish or lacquer seals the reflecting elements lfrom the weather.

In accordance with the patent statutes, `I have described the principles of construction and operation of my reflexrefiecting film; and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiments thereof, I desire to have it understood that these are only illustrative of methods of carrying out my invention, and that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the Afollowing claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A marker decalcomania comprising a backing, a soluble adhesive, a reflecting binder, said reflecting binder being loaded over a portion .of l

its area with small glass spheres.

2. A decalcomania transfer comprising a base sheet, a paste coatingl thereupon, a flexible base sheet adhered to said paste coating, a multiplicity of closely grouped reflex reflecting elements adhered to said base sheet, and a top coat of transparent material upon said reflecting elements.

3. A decalcomania comprising a backing sheet, a paste coating thereupon, a flexible coating adhered to said paste coating, and a multiplicity of transparent reflecting elements closely grouped and adhered to said flexible coating.

4. A decalcomania comprising a backing sheet, a paste coating thereupon, a transparent flexible lm adhered to saidcoating, and a multiplicity of transparent reflecting elements closely grouped and adhered to said flexible film.

5. A decalcomania comprising a backing sheet, an adhesive coating thereupon, a transparent flexible lm releasably adhered to said adhesive coating, a multiplicity of transparent reflecting elements closely grouped and adhered to said flezdble film, and a top coat of transparent material overlying said reflecting elements.

6. A decalcomania comprising a backing sheet. an adhesive coating thereupon, ajfilm releasably adhered to said adhesive' coating. and a multip licity of refiex'refiecting elements adhered said film andremovable therewith.

'1. A decalcomania comprising a backingsheet, an adhesive coating thereupon. a film releasably adhered to said ladhesive coating. a design uponsaid nlm, and a multiplicity of transparent re- 'ecting elements closely groupedand adhered to said film, and removable therewith.

8. A decalcomania comprising a backing sheet. an adhesive coating thereupon, a film releasably adhered to said adhesive coating. a design upon said film, a protective transparent'coating over said design, and a multiplicity of transparent re, i'iecting elements closely grouped and adhered to said protectiveftransparent coating. 

